Flexible Instruction Day (FID) Guidelines for Students/Parents/Guardians
What is a FID?
Flexible Instruction Day (FID) is a program available to public schools to be used as an alternative approach to delivering instruction if a circumstance arises that prevents instruction in the customary manner. Section 1506 of the Public School Code allows public schools to develop a FID program to meet the 180 instructional day requirement of Section 1501. FID programs can support public schools in cases when circumstances (inclement weather, or another emergency) prevent the delivery of instruction in its customary manner or location. A district may only use up to five (5) FIDs in a school year. After the five (5) FIDs are exhausted in a given school year, traditional, in-person make-up days will be added to the end of the school year to comply with the 180-student day state requirement.
What is the benefit of a FID?
This Flexible Instruction Day Plan was designed to help accommodate families on the make-up days. Families now have more flexibility on these days since the make-up days encapsulate longer breaks/vacation (Presidents Day Weekend and Spring Break). In addition, this design allows for the end of the year traditions (Commencement, etc.) to continue as scheduled without having to worry about rescheduling these major events.
If the District calls for a FID, how will I know?
Students and parents/guardians will be informed of a FID through the District’s automated notification system via phone, text message, and/or email (the same way the school closings and delays are currently announced). Notification will be posted on the district’s website at www.mwsd.cc and on local tv and radio stations.
Will every school day that is canceled because of inclement weather or an emergency be considered a FID?
No. The first two (2) days in the 2023-2024 school year when the District is closed are traditional closed days. No instruction will be occurring on these two days.
How will a FID operate at MWSD on the 1st closed day of the school year?
MWSD’s Flexible Instruction Day (FID) for this year will operate as follows: On the approved District Calendar for the 2023-2024 school year, Monday, February 19, 2024, and Tuesday, April 2, 2024, are listed as make-up days. Instead of having the traditional in-person make up days, we will automatically have FIDs and not be in person on these two make-up days. Students will be receiving their instruction remotely on these two days. For example, if inclement weather forces the District to close a day in December, on that day, the District will be closed; meaning no instruction will be given and a make-up day is needed. The first make-up day is Monday, February 19, 2024. This day would then automatically be made up as a FID; meaning no students would report to the District, and instead receive their instruction from their teachers remotely.
What about the 2nd closed day of the school year?
Continuing with the example above, if the District is forced to close again due to inclement weather this coming January, the day the District is closed would again be another traditional snow day where no instruction is given by the District. This would again require a make-up day. The second make-up day is listed as Tuesday, April 2, 2024. This day would then automatically be made up as a FID, meaning no students would report to the District, and instead receive their instruction from their teachers remotely.
What happens on the 3rd day when the District is closed in the school year?
The 2023-2024 District Calendar only has two scheduled make-up days. Once the school is closed for the third and subsequent days (up to five days), FIDs will automatically start on those specific closed days until the school calendar year resets for the 2024-2025 school year. Continuing with the example from above. If the District is forced to close for a third time in January 2024, the day the District is closed, would automatically become a FID as the make-up days are accounted for and instruction will occur on that day. It would not be a traditional snow day as remote instruction would occur. The same would continue with a fourth and fifth school closure. Those actual days would be FIDs.
You said above that any District cannot use more than 5 FIDs, what happens after the 5th day of being closed in a school year?
On the sixth day and beyond of school being closed in a school year, those days will be added to the end of the school calendar as traditional, in-person make up days.
This sounds confusing. Please make it easier to understand!
To sum it up: The first two days the District is closed, traditional closed days will be used, and those days will need to be made up. The two make-up days, Monday, February 19, 2024, and Tuesday, April 2, 2024, are automatically FID days and instruction will be given remotely. The third, fourth, and fifth days the District is closed; those closed days will be FIDs and remote instruction will occur on those actual days. After five FIDs, traditional, in-person make-up days are added to the end of the calendar to comply with the 180-student day state mandate. This process will continue throughout the 2023-2024 school year and reset at the end of the school year.
How does student attendance work?
Student attendance will be determined by completion of all the work assigned by the teacher for that specific FID day.
What if a student is absent on a FID?
All absence excuses must be turned into the school within three days of a student’s return to school.
How can I contact a teacher or staff member during a FID?
All professional staff members will be available via their district email, Apptegy Rooms, and Microsoft Teams. The same is true if you need to get in contact with a support staff member. You can use their district email address.
How will I know what is expected of me/my child on a FID?
The classroom teachers will communicate the specific expectations and procedures with their class. If you have any questions about this process, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or school.
What if a student does not have access to the internet to access the lesson or complete the activities?
Please communicate this need with the teacher as soon as possible so alternative plans can be made. The student may be able to download the necessary documents and activities on their computer prior to the FID so they able to complete the work remotely. If this option is not feasible, the materials and documents will be given to the students to complete after they return to school. Either way, students will have three (3) days to complete the required learning activities and assignments.
What happens if my child fails to complete his/her assignment(s)?
Teachers will check their FID activities/assignments for completion or may count the activities/assignment as a graded assignment. Any student who fails to complete the activities/assignments will be marked absent and receive a zero on any graded activity/assignment that was not submitted.
My child has an IEP, will his/her lesson be modified appropriately? The FID lesson will be designed for students with special needs utilizing their program modifications, specifically designed instruction and supplementary aids and services identified in their individualized education plans. Upon return from a FID, teachers of students with special needs will meet with their students to review work they submitted, checking for completion and understanding. Any related services (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech, etc.) scheduled during the FID will be rescheduled according to the frequency requirements of the students’ individualized education plan.